Summary: Series Description: The Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna (ca. 150 C.E.) famously articulated the notion of emptiness or sunyata as a tool for understanding ultimate reality. Based on selected primary texts such as his Wisdom, this seminar explores Nagarjuna's thought and its powerful effect on subsequent Buddhist philosophy. Inquiring into the key concept of sunyata, we will see how it relates to interdependence and compassion, and we will ask how it is possible to experience sunyata in meditative practice. Episode Description: This Saturday evening session opens with a discussion about the meditation technique of "self liberation of the thought." At that moment when one accepts what a thought seems to represent, you are "dragged into the web," and the proliferation of further thoughts and concepts ensues. If one sees that initial thought according to its true nature: as just a thought, and not as what it represents, one is liberated from the thought. One should just look at the thought intently. Of course means that one must be aware of one's own thinking. However one must be able to notice one's thoughts without objectifying them. This is counter to how our "own" phenomenal space is presented in an agentive subject - object manner. So far in this retreat, the emptiness of the object, as well as emptiness of the self have been analyzed. To move to a deeper understanding of sunyata one must understand the emptiness of the subject, the observer, you. Trick is: how does one deconstruct oneself without objectifying oneself? John continues on to discuss the concept known as "reflexive awareness." With reflexive awareness every moment of awareness is self presenting - luminosity. It describes the feature that every moment of awareness that it is presented. Consciousness illuminates every aspect of consciousness both object and subject. John then discuss how a number of traditions, including Zen, seek to develop luminosity through practice. For teacher BIO, please see Part 1. To access the entire series, please click on the link below: Revealing Nagarjuna Series: All 12 Parts
